THgh is a Control Strip Module which allows you to control the Apple Video Player (AVP) when it is in the background or just to hear the audio output of an Apple TV/Video System card. You can select a TV channel to listen to or change the loudness of the sound output. If you are hooked up to an antenna, you can even try listening to FM radio (remember it isn't how well the bear dances, it's that it can dance at all). In particular, the frequency given doesn't appear to mean anything..
Requirements:
You need to have a TV/Video System card and software properly installed in your computer, as well as Control Strip from Apple or a Control Strip clone such as Desktop Strip or Extensions Strip installed.
Installation:
Just drop the THgh icon in the Control Strip Modules folder which should be in the System Folder. If your CS clone supports multiple strips, you might want to put this module on it's own strip and give it a fairly large font. I use Espy Sans Bold 12.
Useage:
If S-Video or Video is selected as the input source, clicking on the module button will turn the sound on and off.
If TV is selected as input source, clicking and holding will bring up a menu composed of the first 31 channels entered into the AVP. I chose 31 because I am not going to have a menu with 169 items in it. Selecting a channel will start playing the audio portion of that channel. Quickly clicking/releasing on a button will toggle the sound on and off.
If Radio is selected,a graphical menu will appear which allows you to select a radio frequency (this doesn't work very well, but it's cute.) Again quick clicking will toggle the sound.
Configuration:
Command clicking on the module will allow you to set from which input the sound should come. Like I said before, the radio isn't very practical, but it's cute. Shift clicking will bring up a loudness menu. You can also choose between USA and Japanese channel sets.
This Version:
This is an open beta of a not quite polished early version. I am releasing it in this manner so as to get the widest possible testing done; it is unlikely that I would be able to find too many people with both the TV card and control strip installed. Because it is a beta, if you use it, I expect that you report any problems you have with it. I also expect that you not blame me if something goes wrong. Also, look for a new version sometime after January 1996.
Known Limitations:
This version has been "tested" on the USA version of the card only. There is some small possiblility that it will work with the Japanese version (command click to choose the Japanese set of channels).
I haven't been able to test the tuner while using the S-video or video inputs, so in all likelihood, those don't work properly.
I've seen reports on the net that the tuner software has a bug in it that causes crashes while using MacTCP software, and I've experienced occasional crashes while using either THgh or AVP. It looks like the there might be a bug somewhere which is corrupting the system heap.
I am relying on undocumented interfaces to the TV Tuner /Apple Video Player software which I figured out myself. I certainly do not expect Apple to go out of their way to maintain these interfaces just to keep my software running, so this module will probably break in the future and I'll have to fix it then.
Disclaimer:
This software is provided as is. Any loss or damage caused through its use is not the responsiblity of Glenn Howes, Generally Helpful software or anyone but the user of this software.
Distribution:
This beta is provided as a free portion of the Audio Strip GH package. It may not be distributed separately from that package, and must follow the limitations on distribution of that package as enumerated in the file "Read Me -- Audio Strip GH".